Drive and suspension arrangement for articulated vehicle



Jan. 26, 1965 R. c. sYMoNs ETAL 3,157,147

DRIVE AND SUSPENSION ARRANGEMENT FOR ARTICULATED VEHICLE Jan. 26, 1965 R. c. sYMoNs ETAL 3,167,147

DRIVE AND SUSPENSION ARRANGEMENT FOR ARTICULATED VEHICLE Filed Jan. 18, 1962 7 Sheets-Sheet 2 d Q INVENTORS.

ROBERT C. SYMONSJ ROBERT J. ORPANA & JAN WAGTER BY R/cHEs/,MmnvNmFAEB/NGTON ATTOg/VEVS Jan. 26, 1965 R c sYMoNs ETAL 3,167,147

DRIVE AD :SUSPENSION ARRANGEMENT FOR ARTICULATED VEHICLE Filed Jan. 18, 1962 7 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTORS- ROBERT C SYMONS ROBERT J. 0R PANA M A7701? EVS Jan. 26, 19.65 R. c. sYMoNs ETAL 3,167,147

DRIVE AND SUSPENSION ARRANGEMENT FOR ARTICULATED VEHICLE 7 Sheets-Sheetl 4 Filed Jan. 18, 1962 a M 7M N r o m n f N m R +r... M n r E S O G A T v .m mw m A I I C w 'UTN Wm m N W fa in@ m m M w n, H mm. vm Y m /W m BR vm, wh ow Nw n i mo lmmwmwm wwmm A ,Nw um, mm. G mw w ww Q mw om. mm, mw mm, NW

Jan. 26, 1965 R, Q SYMQNS Erl-AL 3,167,147

DRIVE AND SUSPENSION ARRANGEMENT FOR ARTICULATED VEHICLE Filed Jan. 18, 1962 '7 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOES ROBERT c. sYMoNs,

L AogZEY'S ROBERT J. ORPANA JAN WAGTER I .lgl E/cHEY, MSNEN/vnx FARE/N6 TON @g4/Vf iw III' Jan. 26, 1965 R. c. sYMoNs ETAL 3,167,147

DRIVE AND SUSPENSION AERANGEMENI EOE ARTICULATED VEHICLE Filed Jan. 18, 1962 7 Sheets-Sheet 6 /NVEN TOS. RBERT C. SYMONS, S ROBERT J. ORPANA By a( .JAN wAGTER E/CHEKMSNENNY FAP/NG'ON d@ 4J.

A TTOPNEYS Jan. 26, 1965 R. c. sYMoNs ETAL DRIVE AND SUSPENSION ARRANGEMENT FOR ARTICULATED VEHICLE '7 Sheets-Sheet '7 Filed Jan. 18, 1962 ww Mwtmlwuw .ww w uw; -\\/\,V\ d- @w www new wwww mw\\m mm mm, G mm ww lmwllli NWyV/ lh 40% Nw l# LKN bv QW m Lm mm mh wm, ww n .Nom hom M mw .l Q.

United States Patent O Robert C. Symons, Robert I. Urpana, and .Ian Wagter,

all of Woodstock, Gntario, Canada, assignors to Timberland-Ellicott Limited, Woodstock, Gritario, Canada Filed dan. 13, i962, Ser. No. M1134 4 Claims. (El. ld-51) This invention relates to improvements in Ithe construction of articulated-type vehicles, that is to say vehicles formed of two frames each mounted on a respective pair of road wheels, the two frames being pivotally connected together for the purposes of steering the vehicle.

The various objects of the invention include the provision of improvements in vehicles of this type in respect of improved function and utility, greater ease of handling, and higher reliability in day-to-day operation especially over rugged and diiiicult terrain.

The more specific objects and the various features of the invention will appear fully from the description that follows. This description, which `should be read in the light of the accompanying drawings, is intended to provide merely an example of the present invention and is not intended to restrict the scope thereof, which latter is defined bythe appended claims.

In the drawings:

FIGURE l is a side View, partly cut away, of a vehicle embodying7 `the invention;

FIGURE 2 is a plan view of FIGURE 1, again with some structural members omitted for clarity;

FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary perspective view of the central section of 4the vehicle demonstrating its manner of operation;

FIGURE 4 shows the power transmission system in side elevation;

FIGURE 5 is a plan view of a tilting beam portion of the forward frame of the vehicle with the upper plate partly cut away to reveal the parts beneath;

FIGURE 6 is a view on the line VI-VI in FIG- URE 5;

i FIGURE 7 is a section on the line VII-VII of FIG- URE 5; j

FIGURE 8 is a section on the line VIII-VIII of FIG- URE 5;

FIGURE 9 is an underside, rearward-looking, perspective view of the vehicle demonstrating the manne-r of tilting of the beam of FIGURES 5 and 6;

FIGURE 10 is a line diagram in side view of the upper drive shaft arrangement of FIGURE 4;

FIGURE 11 isa line diagram in side view of the lower drive shaft arrangement of FIGURE 4;

FIGURE 12 is a line diagram in plan view of the upper drive shaft ararngement of FIGURE 4;

FIGURE 13 is a line diagram in plan view of the left hand part of the lower drive shaft arrangtment of FIG- URE 4; and

FIGURE 14 is a fragmentary view of the centre of the vehicle.

`The vehicle comprises itwo main frames, a forward frame 10 and a rear frame Il interconnected by means of a pair of coaxial pins 12 and i3 defining a generally vertical axis of :articulation situated approximately in the centre of the vehicle.

The forward frame 10 is mounted on a pair of road wheels 14 and supports a power plant 15, gear box I6, canopy frame 17, drivers seat 13, vertically movable blade 19, a double-acting hydraulic steering cylinder 2d, hydraulic controls 21 for operating hydraulic cylinders 19a of the blade 19 and the steering cylinder Zii, and other frame, bearing and transmission components that Will be more fully described below. Steering cylinder' 2i) ice is pivotally secured to the front frame Il), while its piston rod is connected by a pin 2d to the rear frame 1l, its line of action being off-set from the axis of articulation to enable it to perform a steering function.

The rear frame 11 is mountedon a pair of road wheels 22 and supports la winch 2.3, cable sheave 24 with associated rollers 25, gear box 44, which controls 27 and other subsidiary parts.

As best seen in FIGURE 4 transmission of power takes place from power plant 15 through gear box 16, output shaft 29, universal joint 3d, a pair of splined telescoping yshafts 3l and 32, =a universal joint 33 and a shaft 34 supported at each end in bearings 35 and 36 mounted in a pillow lblock 37 secured to the forward frame 1li. Shaft 34 drives through a universal joint 33, a pair of splined telescoping shafts 39 and 4i), a univers-al joint il and a shaft 42 into a transfer mechanism d3.

The transfer mechanism 43 houses an assembly of gear- `ing that provides a speed reduction for a drive through the further gear box 44 and a chain drive 45 to the winch 23. Transfer mechanism 43 also extends downwardly to an output shaft 46 that extends rearwardly through a brake assembly 47, universal joint 4S, a pair of splined telescopi=ng shafts 49 land Sil, and another universal joint 51 to the input shaft 52 of a rear differential 53 from which power is transmitted -to the wheels in the usual way. Forwardly of the transfer mechanism the output shaft 4b drives into.

a universal joint 54 and through a pair of splined telescoping shafts S5 and Sti and a universal joint 57 to a shaft 5d that is supported by a self-aligning bearing 59 mounted in a pillow block o@ secured to the forward frame I0. Shaft 5t; makes a splined telescoping pair with a shaft 6I that drives through a universal joint 62 to the input shaft 63 of a forward differential 64 from which power is transferred to the wheels in the usual way.

The arrangement of the drivers seat 18 is of particular significance. This seat is fixed in position on the forward frame Il) approximately over the axis of articulation, but

facing at an tangle of about 25 to the front tothe rearV axis of the front frame as defined by the wheels 14). The direction in which the seat faces is defined by its back rest 18a. By this arrangement, it is possible to place the seat approximately on the centre-line of the vehicle, thus permitting the driver to observe fully both sides of the vehicle, while at the same time providing sufcient space for him to place both his legs comfortably on the same side of the casing Ilia which forms part of the frame li) and covers the transmission and steering components (see especially FIGURE 3). The drivers feet rest on a foot plate 73 within easy reach of pedal controls 74. A step 75 is provided for ascending to the driving position. A guard '76 checks any tendency for the drivers legs or feet to move rearwardly and come into contact with the moving drive shafts or other parts.

In operating a vehicle of this type, the driver is called upon to mount and 'disrnount very frequently, since his duties include the bitching and unhitching of logs to and from the winch cable. Prior forms of tractor-type vehicles have suffered the disadvantage that, either the seat is positioned very high up on the vehicle with the drivers feet at an elevation higher than the drive shafts, or the driver has had to sit with his legs straddling the shaft casing, both `of which arrangements are uneconomical of time and effort when mounting and dismounting. In the former case the driver has 'a long way to climb up; in the latter case he has an awkward position to acquire. The present arrangement avoids both these difficulties, since the driver sits low down with both legs on one side of the shaft casing lila. At the same time it affords a further advantage. When .the driver has to look around at logs being hauled in by the winch, as he often has to do, he is able to look directly rearwardly by turning his head and shoulders through an angle less than 180, as FIGURE 3 demonstrates. `It is a great deal easier for a seated person to twist his body sufficiently to direct his eyes comfortably at an angle of about 150 to 160 Ito the line on which he is sitt-ing, than it is for him to bring his line of sight around for the full 180 turn.

Thus the present seat arrangement, while avoiding the constructional complexity and operational disadvantages ofra swivel seat, facilitates the driver looking rearwardly of the vehicle. It also minimises time and effort expended in mounting and dismounting, although not at any expense as far as vehicle clearances are concerned. The present arrangement does not require lowering of the drive shafts, as the drivers legs are to one side ofthe shaft casing. Although the drivers feet are at a comparatively low elevation on the foot plate 73, they are not exposed to danger from rocks or logs that mightv penetrate the steel, as they areelevated from the clearance level defined by the wheel axles, the step 75 and the underside plates later to be described. Sometimes the wheel axles are the lowest parts, sometimes the underside plates and step 75 are, this variation being due to twisting of the axles about a horizontal front to rear axis as the vehicle passes over uneven ground, as will be further explained below. In any event, the drivers feet are situated above the clearance level by only a comparatively small amount, and yet this amount represents a safety factor, while seating the driver at the lowest level that can be achieved. Comfortable seating of the driverat this low level has been achieved in the present construction with no attendant disadvantages, and indeed with some advantage, as already explained.

'Another feature of the present construction, to which special attention is drawn, is the manner of mounting the front axle assembly. FIGURE 5 shows a plan View on a'larger scale than FIGURE 2 of a fragment of FIG- URE 2, namely the front axle assembly and its associate parts ofthe forward frame 10. Reference should also be made 4to FIGURES 6 to 8. The axle housing 77 extending on each side of the differential 64 is secured by bolts 784 and yokes 79 to a plate 80 which forms part of a rigid framework or beam 81. In this way the beam 81 is made to support rigidly the axle assembly, such beam serving to mount the axle assembly for pivotal motion about a front to rear horizontal axis extending generally parallel to and above the axis of the input shaft 63. The pivotal mounting of the beam 81 is Vachieved by a pair of pins 82 and 83 which pass through members 10b and 10c of the forward frame 10. FIGURE 8 illustrates in section the mounting of the forward such pin 83 and shows how a part-spherical self-aligning bushing 84 secured to the pin 83 is free to turn about any axis in a complementarily shaped housing 85 mounted on the beam 81. A thrust washer 86 lies between beam 81 and the forward portion ofthe frame member c. The arrangement at the rear pin 82 is similar (so that no separate sectional illustration has vbeen provided), except that here the thrust washer 86 lies between the beam 81 and the rear portion of the frame member 10b. The beam 81 is of unusual construction in that it is positioned above the axle assembly rather than below it. By `so mounting the beam above the axle assembly, no loss of clearance is permitted.

The underside, perspective, rearward-looking view of FIGURE `9 demonstrates how the front axle assembly mayf thus be tilted by the pivoting beam 81 to accommodate uneven terrain. The blade 19 pivots with the axle assembly and beam 81 by virtue of its being mounted on `plates 87 which project up from the two sides of the beam. The Vshape of these plates is best seen in FIG. 1. FIGURE 9 also illustrates an underside plate 88 fixed to the forward frame 10 rearwardly of the beam 81, and an underside plate 89 xed to the rear frame 11. These plates, which protect the drive shafts from damage on rough terrain, are provided on the underside of the vehicle without sacrificing adaquate clearance. This is possiblebecause of the particular arrangement of drive shafts developed in the present construction in which the transfer mechanism 43 is mounted at a comparatively high level, while still effecting transfer of power downwardly to the ditferentials.

The manner in which this result is achieved while avoiding the problems introduced by the arrangement of the pivotal axis of the front axle assembly along a line displaced from the axis of the shaft 63, will becomeA clearer from a consideration of FIGURES l0 to 13 which consist respectively of single line diagrams showing side and plan views of the top and bottom shaft assemblies. The angles through which the drive is turned are shown on all these diagrams, and the plan views (FIGURES 12 and 13) show the range o f travel of the shafts 39, 4() and 55, 56 that cross the axis of articulation A betweenl steering extremes. The plan view of the bottom shaft (FIGURE 13) also demonstrates the arcuate range of movement of universal joint 62 and consequently of universal joint 57 that results from pivoting of the front axle assembly with beam 81.

The angles that the various shafts make with each other'l have been shown on the drawing as examples only, to serve, the purpose of demonstrating that they are larger than is conventional when normal universal joints are employed, and to illustrate the fact that, by employingl the particular arrangement shown, it has become possible to transmit the necessary power to the differentials through comparatively sharply inclined shafts, thus permitting the transfer mechanism 43 to be mounted at a relatively high position on the rear frame 11 with the advantages in respect of clearance mentioned above.

It must be appreciated that the effective clearance is not necessarily determined by imagining a horizontal plane touching the lowest-most points at front and rear (normally the bottoms of the differential housings). Since the vehicle will often encounter rough terrain in which the two pairs of wheels will straddle a ridge of high ground, it is important to have the maximum possible clearance in the central part of the vehicle, that is in the vicinity of the axis of articulation. It is not enough for this central clearance merely to be equal to the end clear-` ances; desirably, the central clearance when the vehicleJV is on at'ground should be greater than the end clearances, in order to provide for travel over sharply uneven ground. This desirable object has been achieved in the present Vehicle, while at the same time the drive shafts are protected against direct contact with rocks, tree stumps andw the like by the underside plates 88 and 89.

An important aspect of theA drive shaft arrangement is the phasing of the universal joints, which is shown iri FIGURE 4, that is to say the relative angular positions of the universal joints to one another. This relationship is necessary for quiet running, and plays an important part in the overall drive shaft operation. I

To this point in the description the axis of articulation has been referred to as generally vertical. It may in fact be truly vertical, but preferably is inclined slightly (typi cally 3 to 5, but it could be more if desired, even as high as 10) forwardly and upwardly, as illustrated on a larger' scale in FIGURE 14. The weighting of the frames 10v and 11 tends to make their remote ends heavy. The

power plant 15 is situated forward of the axis of thel forward axle assembly, and tension in the cable at the rear tends lto have a similar outward tilting eifect on the rear frame 11. Also the weight of the winch and cable sheaves is remote from the axis of articulation. As a consequence, the portions of the two frames that come together in the centre of the vehicle would normally tend to rise rather than fall, if the interconnecting pins 12 andV 13 were removed. With the axis of articulation inclined,`

the position when the two frames are aligned for straight line travel). The tendency for the portions of the frames joined together by the pins to rise, by reason of the weighting of the ends of the frames remote from the axis of articulation, thus has a self-centering and consequent stabilizing effect on the steering.

The inclination of the axis of articulation is determined by the inclination of the line joining the pins 12 and 13. Whether the pins themselves are turned to lie along such an inclined axis, or whether they remain vertical, is a matter of little consequence, since these pins are both formed with self-aligning, part-spherical bushings 90 similar to the bushings 84 of the pivoting beam 81. This ability for self alignment is desirable to enable the vehicle to be properly steered, regardless of whether the axis of articulation is inclined ornot.

We claim:

l. An articulated vehicle comprising a pair of frames pivotally connected together about a generally vertical axis, a beam pivotally mounted on a first of said frames about a horizontal axis located along the central longitudinal plane of said frame, a first axle assembly and associated road wheels mounted on said beam beneath the same whereby said first axle assembly determines the road clearance in the vicinity` of said assembly, a second axle assembly and associated road Wheels rigidly mounted on the second of said frames, a transfer mechanism mounted on one of said frames in a generally central position along the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, a

motor connected to supply rotary power to said transfer f mechanism, a pair of generally oppositely extending lower drive means extending downwardly and longitudinally from said transfer mechanism to each of said axles, each of said drive means including universal joints, the lower rive means connecting said second axle assembly and transfer mechanism including a shaft assembly extending downwardly with respect to the output shaft of said transfer mechanism and an input shaft on said second axle assembly extending downwardly with respect to said shaft assembly.

2. An articulated type vehicle comprising a pair of frames pivotally connected together about a generally vertical axis; a beam pivotally mounted on a first of said frames about a horizontal axis located along the central longitudinal plane of said first frame; a first axle assembly and associated road wheels mounted on said beam; a sec` ond axle assembly and associated road wheels rigidly mounted on the second of said frames; a transfer mechanism mounted on said second frame spaced on the side of said second axle'assembly toward said first axle assembly and providing an input shaft and oppositely directed output shaft means; a motor on said first frame having a drive shaft; first drive means connecting the drive shaft to said input shaft, said first drive means including a plurality of universal joints interconnecting said drive shaft and input shaft through three drive assemblies, the first drive assembly being inclined with respect to the axis of said drive shaft in a downward direction, the second drive assembly being inclined with respect to the first drive assembly in a downward direction, the third drive assembly being inclined with respect to the second drive assembly and extending more nearly horizontal, second drive means connecting the first axle assembly and said output shaft means, said second drive means including a plurality of universal joints interconnecting said first axle assembly and said output shaft means through fourth and fifth drive assemblies, said fourth drive assembly extending forwardly from said output shaft means and inclined downwardly with respect thereto, said fifth drive assembly being inclined with respect to said fourth drive assembly and extending downwardly with respect thereto; third drive means connecting said output shaft means to said second axle assembly, said third drive means including a pair of universal joints connecting said output shaft means to said second axle 6 assembly through a sixth drive assembly inclined downwardly with respect to said output shaft means, said second axle assembly including an input shaft inclined downwardly with respect to said sixth drive assembly.

3. An articulated type vehicle comprising a pair of frames pivotally connected together about a generally vertical axis; a beam pivotally mounted on a first of said frames about a horizontal axis located along the central longitudinal plane of said first frame; a first axle assembly and associated road wheels mounted on said beam beneath the same whereby said first axle assembly determines the road clearance in the vicinity of said assembly; a second axle assembly and associated road Wheels rigidly mounted on the second of said frames; a transfer mechanism mounted on said second frame in a generally central position in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle and providing an input shaft and oppositely directed output shaft means; a motor on said first frameV having a drive shaft; first drive means connecting the drive shaft to said input shaft, said first drive means including a plurality of universal joints interconnecting said drive shaft and input shaft through three drive assemblies, the first drive assembly being inclined with respect to the axis of said drive shaft in a downward direction, the second drive assembly being inclined with respect to the first drive assembly in a downward direction, the third drive assembly being inclined with respect to the second drive assembly and extending more nearly horizontal, spaced bearings on said first frame supporting said second drive assembly; econd drive means connecting the first axle assembly and said output shaft means, said second drive means including a plurality of universal joints interconnecting said first axle assembly and said output shaft means through fourth and fifth drive assemblies, said fourth drive assembly extending forwardly from said output shaft means atnd inclined downwardly with respect thereto, said fifth drive assembly being inclined with respect to said fourth drive assembly and extending downwardly with respect thereto, a swivel bearing on said first frame connected to support the joint between said fourth and fifth drive assemblies; third drive means connecting said output shaft means to said second axle assembly; said third drive means including a pair of universal joints connecting said output shaft means to said second axle assembly through a sixth drive assembly inclined downwardly with respect to said output shaft means, said second axle assembly including an input shaft inclined downwardly with respect to said sixth drive assembly.

4. An articulated type vehicle comprising a pair of frames pivotally connected together about a generally vertical axis; a beam pivotaily mounted on a first of said frames about a horizontal axis located along the central longitudinal plane of said first frame; a first axle assembly and associated road wheels mounted on said beam beneath the same whereby said first axle assembly determines the road clearance in the vicinity of said assembly; a second axle assembly and associated road wheels rigidly mounted on the second of saidfframes; a transfer mechanism mounted on said second frame in a generally central position in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle and providing an input shaft and oppositely directed output shaft means; a motor on said first frame having a drive shaft; first drive means connecting the drive shaft to said input shaft, said first drive means including a plurality of universal joints interconnecting said drive shaft and input shaft through three drive assemblies, the first drive assembly being inclined with respect to the axis of said drive shaft in a downward direction, the second drive assembly being inclined with respect to the first drive as sembly in a downward direction, the third drive assembly being inclined with respect to the second drive assembly and extending more nearly horizontal, spaced bearings on said first frame supporting said second drive assembly; second drive means connecting thefirst axle assembly and said output shaft means, said second drive means including a plurality of universal joints interconnecting said first axle assembly and said output shaft means through fourth and fifth drive assemblies, said fourth drive assembly eX- tending forwardly from said output shaft means and inclined downwardly with respect thereto, said fifth drive assembly being inclined with respect to said fourth drive assembly and extending downwardly with respect thereto, a swivel bearing on said rst frame connected to the end of said fth drive assembly substantially adjacent to the fourth drive assembly; third drive means connecting said output shaft means to said second axle assembly, said third drive means including a pair of universal joints connecting said output shaft means to said second axle assembly through a sixth drive assembly inclined downwardly with respect to said output shaft means, said second References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,623,214 Storey Apr. 5, 1927 2,623,602 Double Dec. 30, 1952 2,737,736 MacDonald Mar. 13, 1956 2,791,438 Ruf May 7, 1957 2,827,715 Wagner Mar. 25, 1958 3,047,308 Salna July 31, 1962 3,049,186 Garrett Aug. 14, 1962 FOREIGN PATENTS 810,697 Wille Aug. 13, 1951 

1. AN ARTICULATED VEHICLE COMPRISING A PAIR OF FRAMES PIVOTALLY CONNECTED TOGETHER ABOUT A GENERALLY VERTICAL AXIS, A BEAM PIVOTALLY MOUNTED ON A FIRST OF SAID FRAMES ABOUT A HORIZONTAL AXIS LOCATED ALONG THE CENTRAL LONGITUDINAL PLANE OF SAID FRAME, A FIRST AXLE ASSEMBLY AND ASSOCIATED ROAD WHEELS MOUNTED ON SAID BEAM BENEATH THE SAME WHEREBY SAID FIRST AXLE ASSEMBLY DETERMINES THE ROAD CLEARANCE IN THE VICINITY OF SAID ASSEMBLY, A SECOND AXLE ASSEMBLY AND ASSOCIATED ROAD WHEELS RIGIDLY MOUNTED ON THE SECOND OF SAID FRAMES, A TRANSFER MECHANISM MOUNTED ON ONE OF SAID FRAMES IN A GENERALLY CENTRAL POSITION ALONG THE LONGITUDINAL DIRECTION OF THE VEHICLE, A MOTOR CONNECTED TO SUPPLY ROTARY POWER TO SAID TRANSFER 